KABUL - The United States said on Sunday it respected the traditional Afghan institution of Loya Jirga, which overwhelmingly supported the idea American bases in the country for a decade.
The grand tribal assembly concluded on Saturday with the release of a 76-article declaration, recommending the creation of American military bases.

Endorsing the agreement with the United States was necessary for maintaining security and strengthening Afghanistan's economy, delegates at the four-day meeting said.
But political analysts, praising recommendations of the Jirga, believe there is no guarantee of the United States accepting the delegates' recommendations regarding the strategic partnership deal.

Political commentator Mohammad Hassan Wolesmal said the declaration was reflective of popular aspirations. However, he took issue with the US decision not to share its terms and conditions with the participants.

However, the US embassy in Kabul said: "The Loya Jirga is a traditional Afghan institution for which we have great respect. We were heartened that the majority of its delegates expressed their support for a long-term US-Afghan partnership."

In response to a query from Pajhwok, the embassy said: "We expect that our negotiations with the Afghan government will result in an outcome that affirms a long-term strategic partnership between the United States and Afghanistan."

A day earlier, President Hamid Karzai told the concluding session of the assembly that participants had floated valuable suggestions and his government would work on implementing them.

"My government is committed to honoring your suggestions and going by them," the president said, adding that efforts were being made to improve the capacity of Afghan forces.

Karzai said the recommendations, including neighboring countries' cooperation, an end to night raids and dismantling of parallel government structures, were acceptable to his administration.